Twins put Hicks on disabled list, so Arcia returns

Blog Post by: Phil Miller

June 10, 2013 - 3:12 PM

Oswaldo Arcia is back with the Twins, but the price is a high one: Aaron Hicks will be sidelined for at least two weeks.

Hicks, who has started 52 of the Twins' 60 games in center field, suffered a left hamstring strain while trying to beat out an infield grounder during the second game of the Twins' doubleheader in Washington on Sunday. On Monday, the Twins decided the injury is severe enough to put the former first-round pick on the 15-day disabled list.

The move leaves the Twins without both of their Opening Day center fielders, since backup Wilkin Ramirez is also on the disabled list with concussion symptoms. Clete Thomas is the lone natural center fielder on the roster, though Chris Parmelee played the position for one inning earlier this season, and Eduardo Escobar is considered a fill-in outfielder when necessary. Arcia has also played center field, though not regularly since 2011.

Hicks was batting .179 on the season, and his six home runs are third-most on the Twins. The rookie outfielder's offense had been improving lately; Hicks was batting .267 with three home runs over his last 17 games.

Arcia batted .255 with four home runs over 30 games in two stints with the Twins earlier this season, and was hitting .284 with six home runs at Class AAA Rochester.

Righthander Ryan Pressly was also examined Monday after feeling a stinging sensation in his right triceps during Sunday's first game, but the Twins said there would be no update on his condition until Tuesday.

The Twins open a nine-game home stand Tuesday night against the Philadelphia Phillies.